Emerging critical generic managerial competencies: A challenge to hospitality educators in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify emerging critical generic managerial competencies in the Kenyan hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional survey research design was used to gather primary data using self‐administered questionnaires. The population was composed of hospitality managers from ten five‐star hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya. A sample of 160 hospitality managers was selected proportionately by simple random sample method.

Findings

Several critical generic management competencies are emerging in the Kenyan hospitality industry. However, there is a gap between utilization and importance of managerial competencies in Kenya. Managers do not value human relations competencies.

Practical implications

Hotels and training institutions need to enhance acquisition of generic managerial competencies in their management development programs and curricula, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on both the level of utilization of managerial competencies and the level of importance attached to managerial competencies. It contributes to a new body of knowledge in management literature in Kenya. The paper has value to researchers, hospitality graduates and students, hospitality educators and human resource managers in Kenya.

Citation

Wadongo, B., Kambona, O. and Odhuno, E. (2011), "Emerging critical generic managerial competencies: A challenge to hospitality educators in Kenya", African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 56-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/20400701111110777